MIAMI _ The wounded Los Angeles Chargers encountered an opponent in worse shape than they are at the moment and the result was a 30-10 victory at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday over an undermanned Miami team that fell to 0-4.
The Chargers improved to 2-2 by scoring the game's final 20 points after the score was 10-10 until the final minute of the first half.
Philip Rivers completed 24 of 30 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns.
He completed passes to nine receivers as the Chargers spread the ball around because of all their injuries on offense.
Wide receiver Andre Patton had his first career reception and running back Troymaine Pope his first career touchdown.
Dontrelle Inman finished with five receptions for a team-high 76 yards. He did injure a quadriceps late in the game.
Austin Ekeler carried 18 times for 60 yards and caught five passes for 62 yards. He also scored two touchdowns.
The Chargers were playing without wide receivers Mike Williams and Travis Benjamin, running back Justin Jackson and tight end Virgil Green because of injuries.
All-Pro running back Melvin Gordon, a training camp holdout over a contract dispute, was active for the game, having ended his holdout Thursday, but he did not play. Coach Anthony Lynn had indicated that Gordon would play little, if at all, since he had just returned.
Before this game was over, the Chargers also lost defensive end Melvin Ingram (hamstring), linebacker Denzel Perryman (possible concussion) and tight end Sean Culkin (ankle) to injuries.
Punter/kicker Ty Long also was noticeably limping at times. He did finish with three field goals and was successful on all three of his extra-point attempts on a day when the Chargers didn't punt.
Long was forced to kick for the fourth consecutive game because of Michael Badgley's groin injury.
The Chargers took the lead with a 44-yard field goal by Long on their first possession.
The Dolphins then came back with a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take their first lead of the season. Josh Rosen passed 34 yards to DeVante Parker, who beat Desmond King, for the score and a 7-3 lead.
The Chargers responded with their own 75-yard drive _ this one requiring seven plays _ to retake the lead. Pope scored on a 13-yard pass from Rivers.
Miami then pulled even with the game's fourth consecutive scoring drive. Jason Sanders made it 10-10 with a 30-yard field goal.
After turning the ball over on downs on their third series, the Chargers moved ahead 17-10 at halftime when Rivers and Ekeler connected for an 18-yard touchdown pass.
On both of his first-half scoring throws, Rivers moved out of the pocket and threw on the run, showing the sort of mobility not typically associated with his game.
